Cannot put passenger side timing chain?

Tiny
ABEL MAGANA
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C350
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 156,000 MILES
I replaced all the timing chain guides but I’m not able to put the gear with the timing chain back onto the shaft but when I take out the very left guide it does go back on, but the guide can’t go back in it only goes so far before it stops. Please help, I really need a car for work.
Tuesday, July 29th, 2025 AT 2:34 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Did you remove the timing chain tensioner? Do you have images you can upload so I can see what's going on, we really need more information to help you. Here is an image of the timing chain configuration to help. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response.
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Wednesday, July 30th, 2025 AT 10:01 AM
Tiny
ABEL MAGANA
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I’m not sure which one is the timing chain tensioner, if it’s the one that screws on the gear to the right shaft. I tried that but when it comes off I’m able to slip in the timing chain guide but I’m not able to put the gear back onto the shaft or is I take off the guide. I’m able to put the gear back on but I can’t put the guide back in all the way to where the wholes line up.
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Wednesday, July 30th, 2025 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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This is what needs to be removed to replace the timing chain and reinstall it. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
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Wednesday, July 30th, 2025 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
ABEL MAGANA
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Thank you very much I didn’t know about that, I am going to try it out and I’ll let you know how it goes.
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Wednesday, July 30th, 2025 AT 10:24 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, that should be the issue. Let me know if you need more help.
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Thursday, July 31st, 2025 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
ABEL MAGANA
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  • 13 POSTS
Hey It worked out great I was able to put the right gear on the passenger side onto the shaft and with the timing chain guide thank you for the help but now I’m having trouble on how to put the left gear onto the shaft, I put the shaft on and tightened it down already but I’m not sure how to exactly put the gear on the correct way, there’s markings on them but I don’t know which way they go
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Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 AT 2:06 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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It has that same tensioner on the opposite side of the engine FYI. Here are more diagrams to help get it back together correctly. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes
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Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 AT 2:56 PM
Tiny
ABEL MAGANA
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I retired putting the pin in but it only goes through the first gear not the second one do I have to disassemble it?
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Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 AT 3:05 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Can you send in image of what you are talking about?
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Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 AT 5:50 PM
Tiny
ABEL MAGANA
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It’s not perfect it’s slightly off
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Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 AT 8:40 PM
Tiny
ABEL MAGANA
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Since the gears aren’t lined up perfice it doesn’t go fully in
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Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 AT 8:45 PM
Tiny
ABEL MAGANA
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When it’s on 305 all engravments show but not the gear I’m trying to put on right now
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Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 AT 8:51 PM
Tiny
ABEL MAGANA
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It’s still on 305 all marking show but not the left one I don’t know if I put the shaft wrong or if it’s the gear or if I just need to rotate the shaft
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Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 AT 8:55 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Thanks for the videos, yep, this engine is tough to work on, it says to "draw" the timing chain in when replacing it. Here are the instructions on what to do:

The tooth flanks (1, 2) are held against each other by spring pressure and should not be skewed, otherwise the camshaft adjuster will be irreparably damaged

1 Insert the drift (3, diameter 3mm) into the bore (4) of the cover plate and lock the tooth flanks (1, 2) with each other.
Push the drift (3) through to the end of tooth flank (2).
To allow the drift (3) to be inserted more easily, align the tooth flanks with each other (in the direction of the arrows).

Check out the images (below). Let us know what you find.
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Wednesday, August 6th, 2025 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
ABEL MAGANA
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Do you have a video by chance because I don’t quite understand what I need to do
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Wednesday, August 6th, 2025 AT 2:07 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Ya, that is a tough one, this engines are like Swiss watches. I don't have a video you might want to try youtube to see if someone has had the same problem, sorry about that.
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Thursday, August 7th, 2025 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
ABEL MAGANA
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
  • 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C350
  • V6
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 156,000 MILES
I’m having trouble with installing the passenger left gears back onto the shaft, I don’t know if I put the shaft wrong but it fully tightened down and when I put the gear onto the shaft at the 305 angle both driver side engravings on the gears alone with the sensor holes on the housing but on the passenger side only the right gear lines up but not the left gear it’s slightly to the right not only that but I’m not able to install the gear fully because both gears don’t line up with the while where you insert a pin only the front one alines but not the second one
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Friday, August 8th, 2025 AT 12:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
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Sorry, this is all we got for this problem, I am not sure what else to say, you can try calling the dealer or a shop for help. I have not done this job on this car :/
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Friday, August 8th, 2025 AT 12:28 PM
Tiny
ABEL MAGANA
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Hi I’m sorry I just got the gear to fit turns out I just had to basically pull the spring loaded gear back to alone with the hole and the second gear but now I have another question is it possible that I put the camshaft gear wrong is there a way that I can check if it’s correct because when I try to put the gear on the engravings still don’t long up I don’t know if it’s supposed to be like that and I just have to move the cam shaft to a specific spot by turning it from behind or if I just put it incorrectly do you have any suggestions if you need a video just let me know if it helps
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Saturday, August 9th, 2025 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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I would check you tube for the video, also can you buy a new actuator because the old one looks like it might be jammed.
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Sunday, August 10th, 2025 AT 5:43 PM

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